Information for carers and family members

Try encouraging the insertion of the hearing aids as part of the individual’s daily routine. Put the hearing aids in when they get up and take them out when they go to bed.

Slowly build up the length of time that the individual wears their hearing aids. Depending on how they take to the aids, you could start with just a couple of minutes several times a day. If this becomes difficult and the aids are being taken out within seconds, have a break and try again later or the next day when you are both feeling more relaxed.

Tips:

• Have something ready to distract the individual, such as their favourite TV program.
• If the individual is removing their hearing aids after loud noises or because their ears hurt, check that the settings on the hearing aids are correct and talk to the audiologist.
• If the individual is struggling with the feel of the hearing aids you could hold the ear moulds in your hand for a couple of minutes before trying to insert them. This makes them warmer and softer and therefore less of a shock when inserted. You can also try inserting the aids before the individual wakes up so that they are already in place. Never leave a person alone with hearing aids if you think they may put them in their mouth. Batteries are very dangerous if swallowed, please contact 999 if you believe a person has swallowed a battery.
• It may also be useful to meet or see others with hearing aids so that the individual can see people wearing aids. Hearing loss representation has increased in the past few years with many TV shows and books showing characters wearing hearing devices.